theatre KAPOW has always aimed to bring the audience as close to the action as possible. In the company’s 17 year history, no play has ever done that quite like Every Brilliant Thing, which entirely relies on the audience to tell the story, inviting audience members to use their bodies and their voices to contribute to the play itself.

Longtime audience member and friend of tKAPOW, Eric Gutterson, has been visiting the Every Brilliant Thing rehearsal room throughout the process to play “test audience” and help the company experiment with the play’s audience participation. Eric provided some insight about this experience, and about what makes Every Brilliant Thing particularly special. Read Eric’s thoughts on the play and process below:

Q: How is the audience experience for Every Brilliant Thing unique from other plays?  

A: The obvious answer is that the audience can be more involved- become a part of the story. Being involved as an audience member might only be expected at an event like a magic show, illusionist, hypnotist, etc. The typical expectation as an audience member at a play is that you attend, find your seat, watch the show from a third-person perspective, and that is the full scope of the experience. Every Brilliant Thing welcomes willing participants into the story. One audience member might recite a Brilliant Thing out of a list of very many things. Or to a greater extent, one might take on a character, a person in the narrator’s life. The relationship with the actor is more intimate – they see you, they listen to what you have to say, and the interaction becomes part of the show.

Q: What feelings does the play evoke for you as an audience member?

A: Laughter, sadness, joy, longing, and a sense of togetherness. There is a sense of community between the actor, audience, and everyone in the building. Also, the play doesn’t shy away from being real. There are dark tones, but you come up for air early and often with frequent moments of comic relief.

Q: What has your experience been like in the rehearsal process and being a part of helping the team develop the piece? 

A: The rehearsal process has been a lot of fun. It has required careful consideration and respect for the audience, and for the level of engagement each individual might be comfortable with on show night. It feels like each moment is tailored with this in mind. The actor is faced with a constant challenge of not knowing what an audience member might do. When being a “guest audience member”, my goal has been to present several possible audience responses, sometimes ordinary, sometimes a little crazy. The play requires keen improvisation from the actor, which might be my favorite thing ever, because it can bring about hilarious, unexpected, unique scenarios that you’ll only experience once. I’m excited to see how it all comes together.

EVERY BRILLIANT THING
By Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe

February 7-9, 2025
BNH Stage in Concord, NH

February 21-23rd, 2025
Winnipesaukee Playhouse in Meredith, NH

Tickets & more information: www.tkapow.com/productions/#brilliant

*ASL Interpretation will be available on 2/9. 

**Live music by local musicians begins 30 minutes prior to each performance. 

EveryBrilliantThing=shallow
author avatar
Emma Cahoon
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